Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
133. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 7 July 2022, the status of the review of projected timelines for the implementation of a White Paper to end direct provision and to establish a new international protection support service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50721/22]
View answer147. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the plan to abolish direct provisions centres across the State. [50732/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 147 together.
Since publishing A White Paper to end Direct Provision and to Establish a new International Protection Support Service in February 2021, my Department has placed a significant focus on delivering these reforms. Progress made include: the recruitment of a team dedicated to driving the implementation of the new programme; the establishment of Governance structures to oversee transition to the new model in the form of a Programme Board and an External Advisory Committee; the development of the community accommodation model including the acquisition of properties; the development of an integration programme to support the principle of ‘integration from day one’ as set out in the White Paper; the advancement of our Communication Strategy to include a dedicated webpage where all members of the Public can find updates on the progress being made; and the initiation of a planning process for Phase One Reception and Integration Centres. A new integration fund, offering grants to civil society organisations for projects supporting the integration of International Protection Applicants, was also launched in August. The awards will be announced shortly.
As will be appreciated, the war in Ukraine has had an unavoidable impact on timelines for the implementation of the White Paper, as staff in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth have been temporarily diverted to fulfil Ireland’s obligations including members of the White paper Transition Team. Upwards of 46,000 people displaced by the war in Ukraine have come to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive, and over 36,000 have been accommodated by the State. Alongside this, there has been a substantial increase in the number of people seeking international protection with over 10,000 arrivals in the first three quarters of 2022 alone. Overall my Department is now accommodating over 50,000 people, compared with 7,000 at this time last year. The Department is working diligently to manage the response to the Ukraine crisis whilst continuing to progress the aims of the White Paper.
In this vastly changed context, an overall review of the projected timelines and deliverables in the White Paper is currently underway. This is a complex exercise that will take account of both the delays that have arisen as a consequence of the war in Ukraine and the impact of the substantial increase in numbers seeking International Protection.
The planning assumptions underpinning the White Paper is based on average projected arrivals of 3,500 International Protection applicants per year. This review is reassessing these projections and how this impacts on key deliverables. The review is also considering whether it is preferable to prioritise the implementation of certain aspects of the White Paper reforms over others. The objective of such an approach would be to progress with key reforms that are achievable in the current altered context. This could enable progress on a meaningful reform programme that adheres to the key principles of the White Paper. The review will also focus on identifying new approaches that will help the system to manage with the uncertainty and its demand led nature and address future needs.
An initial paper with some options and recommendations has been brought to the White Paper Programme Board for their input and feedback.
Notwithstanding the impact of the Ukraine crisis, the implementation of the new model is and will continue to be a key priority for the Department.
